Iconographic Engravings – The Fine Arts (1851) prominent mythological and symbolic figures from Greco-Roman art

This plate, labeled Taf. 4, appears to illustrate classical statues of prominent mythological and symbolic figures from Greco-Roman art. It serves as a visual catalog of well-known sculptures, representing themes of beauty, divinity, and mythology.

Breakdown of the Figures

1. Venus Figures: Several of the sculptures depict Venus (the Roman goddess of love, equivalent to the Greek Aphrodite). Statues of Venus in various poses are arranged around the plate. They often show her with minimal drapery or modestly covering herself, which was a common portrayal to emphasize her beauty and sensuality.

2. Athena (Minerva): The large central figure on a pedestal is Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war (known as Minerva in Roman mythology). She is depicted in full armor, with a spear and a shield decorated with the face of Medusa, a typical attribute of Athena to signify her protective nature. She also holds a small statue of Nike, the winged goddess of victory, which further emphasizes her power.

3. Diana (Artemis): One of the statues, featuring a female figure with a small animal (likely a deer), represents Diana, the goddess of the hunt and wilderness (Artemis in Greek mythology). She is dressed in a tunic and captured in a dynamic pose that suggests movement, embodying her role as a huntress.

4. Reclining Figures: The upper part of the plate includes a reclining figure, possibly representing a river god or a personification of a natural element, as reclining postures in classical art were often symbolic of rivers or the earth.

5. Other Classical Figures: Additional figures on the plate include women in various poses, some with attendants or small animals beside them. These figures might be allegorical or depict other mythological personalities associated with beauty, fertility, or companionship.

Purpose and Context

This plate is likely part of an educational or reference work intended for students of classical art, scholars, or artists who were studying or drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. During the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a strong interest in cataloging and reproducing classical works to make them accessible for study across Europe.

Artistic and Historical Value

The plate showcases the neoclassical reverence for classical antiquity, where figures like Venus, Athena, and Diana symbolized ideals of beauty, wisdom, and strength. The precision in these illustrations reflects the skill of engravers and artists dedicated to capturing the essence of these statues for educational purposes.